Intravenous injection cap support apparatus

ABSTRACT

The apparatus includes a base engaged with a support arm, which support arm is adapted to receive a tubing clip. The tubing clip includes a slot that is adapted to receive intravenous tubing or a central venous catheter and to retain the tubing in a secure manner so as to support in a stationary manner an injection cap associated with the tubing or catheter.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/313,336, filed on Sep.7, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,332.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus for supporting intravenoustubing or a central venous catheter near the point where it connects toan injection cap so the injection cap is held steady. The apparatusfinds particular utility in home health care settings.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In an effort to minimize the ever increasing costs of health care, manypatients, insurance companies and health maintenance organizations haveturned to providing medical care in the patient's home. Often, such homehealth care programs involve periodic intravenous injections of medicineand other substances. The most efficient means for accomplishing suchinjections is by administering the substances either through aninjection port or cap that is connected by intravenous tubing to anintravenous catheter inserted into the patient's body or through aninjection cap that is connected to a central venous catheter insertedinto the patient's chest.

An intravenous (IV) delivery system inserted into a medical patient'sextremity customarily includes an IV catheter inserted into a vein whichis connected by. IV tubing to an injection cap. Typically, there isabout 4 to 6 inches of IV tubing between the injection cap and the pointin a patient's body where the IV tubing is attached to the IV catheter.To administer an IV medication, the injection cap is punctured by aneedle attached to a syringe or accessed by another delivery instrument.

An IV delivery system inserted into a medical patient's chestcustomarily is one of two types. First, there may be an IV catheterinserted into a vein which is connected by IV tubing to an IV injectioncap. A second type of system uses a central venous catheter which isinserted into the patient's chest and has a line extending outside thebody with an injection cap attached to the end of the line. No IV tubingis required with this second system. To administer an IV medication, theinjection cap is punctured by a needle attached to a syringe or accessedby another delivery system.

Since two hands are generally required to perform the injections, it hasbeen quite difficult for a patient to self-administer such injections,especially when the intravenous catheter is inserted into the patient'sarmor chest. In such instances, many patients require the assistance ofanother person to administer the medication while the patient holds theinjection cap steady. In many cases the other person is a nurse.Obviously, the need for having a nurse present to assist in theadministration of intravenous injections increases the patient's healthcare costs. In view of the objective of minimizing health care costs, itwould be advantageous if the patient could self-administer themedication without the need for assistance from another person.

A need exists, therefore, for apparatus for steadying an injection capconnected to intravenous tubing or to a central venous catheter so as toallow a patient to self-inject medication through the injection capwithout assistance from another person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of the present invention overcomes the above-mentioneddisadvantages and drawbacks which are characteristic of the prior art.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus forsupporting an intravenous injection cap comprises a base, a support armengaged with the base and a device for receiving and retainingintravenous tubing or a central venous catheter and an intravenousinjection cap that is engaged with the support arm.

The support arm of the apparatus fits into the base of the apparatus andthe tubing clip fits into the support arm.

The tubing clip of the apparatus is adapted to separate from the supportarm of the apparatus if a patient jerks his arm accidentally. Thisprevents the patient from pulling the IV catheter out of his arm.

Preferably, the base of the apparatus in concave so that a patient's armfits comfortably in the apparatus. It is also preferred that the areawhere the patient's arm fits is smooth while the area outside of wherethe patient's arm fits may be textured.

It is also preferred that the bottom of the base of the apparatus be aseven as possible so that the base of the apparatus is level when placedon a flat, level surface. It is further preferred that the bottom of thebase of the apparatus includes rubber feet so that it is stable and doesnot slip or slide even when a patient with a shaky arm uses theapparatus.

Finally, it is preferred that the base of the apparatus with the rubberfeet on it is such that when double sided tape is put on the feet, thebase may be securely engaged with an upright mirror.

The IV injection cap support apparatus of the present invention isuseful for IV patients in home health care settings. The apparatus alsois useful for caregivers and patients in other health care settings suchas hospitals, nursing homes, or outpatient clinics. The apparatus holdsthe patient's injection cap stable and in an upright position so thatthe patient can see the cap easily and inject the IV medication byhimself. Without this device, many patients currently need an extra handfrom a household member, friend or nurse to administer the medication.Alternatively, some patients currently attach an additional length of IVtubing, but this is cumbersome and there is a risk that the IV cathetermay be pulled out if the extra tubing catches on something.

In addition, the IV injection cap support apparatus of the presentinvention is designed so that it can be used by patients who have acentral line IV inserted into their chest. In this case, the IVinjection cap support apparatus is attached to an upright mirror, suchas a wall mirror, with double sided tape. The IV tubing or the centralvenous catheter with the IV injection cap is inserted into theapparatus, and the patient then can look down at the cap andself-administer the IV medication with a syringe into the cap. Suchpatients with a central IV line may also use the apparatus of thepresent invention to hold the outer end of the central venous catheteror IV tubing away from their chest so that the site of the catheterinsertion may be cleansed more easily and the catheter dressing may bechanged more easily.

The base of the IV injection cap support apparatus of the presentinvention is designed to serve the same purpose as an arm board. An armboard is used to hold the joint straight when an IV catheter is insertednear the wrist or elbow. Thus, those patients who currently require armboards may choose to just use the apparatus of the present invention.

The apparatus of the present invention is simple and easy to use withone hand. Also, the apparatus preferably is not "handed" and is equallyaccessible with the patient's left or right hand.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbe readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a readingof the following detailed description of presently preferred, butnonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus for supporting anintravenous injection cap, steadying IV tubing or steadying a centralvenous catheter according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross section view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, the apparatusfor supporting an intravenous injection cap, steadying IV tubing orsteadying a central venous catheter of the present invention is shownand generally designated by the reference numeral 10. For purposes ofthis application, the term "infusion therapy tubing" is defined to meanand include intravenous tubing and central venous catheters. Preferably,the infusion therapy tubing has a female end to which an intravenousinjection cap can be attached and through which medication can bedispensed. As shown in FIG. 1, the support apparatus 10 includes a base12, a support arm 14 and a tubing clip 16.

The base 12 of the apparatus 10 has a generally rectangular shape withan upper surface 18 as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, the upper surface 18has a slight concave curve about the long axis of the base 12 so thatthe base 12 can be used in place of an arm board.

A plurality of feet 20 is disposed on the bottom of the base 12 oppositethe upper surface 18. Preferably, the base 12 includes four feet 20. Inanother preferred embodiment of the present invention, the feet 20comprise a non-skid material such as rubber inserts no that theapparatus 10 will not easily slip or slide when placed upon a flat,level surface.

As shown in FIG. 4, the base 12 includes a socket 22 that is adapted toprovide an interference fit with a post of the support arm 14 describedbelow.

In a preferred embodiment, the bottom of base 12 opposite the uppersurface 18 is substantially hollowed out but includes a rib structurefor providing strength and stability to the base 12.

In another preferred embodiment, the base 12 comprises a high impact ABSthermoplastic material and the base 12 formed by injection moldingtechniques well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. It will beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art that "ABS" refers to afamily of thermoplastic materials that contain three monomeric buildingblocks--acrylonitrite, butadiene, and styrene. Suitable ABSthermoplastic materials for utility in the apparatus of the presentinvention are well known in the art.

The support arm 14 of the apparatus 10 includes a post 24 that isadapted to provide an interference fit with the socket 22 of the base 12so as to engage the support arm 14 with the base 12.

The support arm 14 also includes a generally vertically extendingportion 26 and a generally horizontally extending portion 28. As shownin FIG. 1, when the support arm 14 is engaged with the base 12 in themanner described above, the generally vertically extending portion 26 ofthe support arm 14 extends perpendicular to the upper surface 18 of thebase 12 and the generally horizontally extending portion 28 of thesupport arm 14 is disposed over and extends parallel to the uppersurface 18 of the base 12. Preferably, the generally horizontallyextending portion 28 of the support arm 14 includes a recessed portion30 as shown in FIG. 2. The recessed portion 30 is adapted to provide aninterference fit with the edges of the tube clip 16. As shown in FIG. 4,the horizontally extending portion 28 is a generally C-shaped memberhaving an aperture 32 with an opening 34 which is disposed opposite thevertically extending portion 26 of the support arm 14.

In a preferred embodiment, the vertically extending portion 26 ofsupport arm 14 includes a pair of flanges 36 for providing support andstability to the support arm 14 and for preventing twisting of thesupport arm 14 about its vertical axis.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the supportarm 14 comprises a high impact ABS thermoplastic material and thesupport arm 14 is formed by injection molding techniques well known tothose of ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in FIG. 4, the tubing clip 16 of the apparatus 10 is agenerally C-shaped member with a body 38 and a pair of arms 40 thatextend in a generally parallel manner. A slot 42 extends between thearms 40. The slot has a substantially cylindrical terminus 44. The widthof the slot 42 and the diameter of the cylindrical terminus are adaptedto provide an interference fit with the uppermost portion of theinfusion therapy tubing near the point where it connects to theinjection cap.

It is also preferred that the tubing clip includes a recessed portion 46and that the tubing clip 16 includes projections to provide aninterference fit with the recessed portion 30 of the support arm 14.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tubingclip 16 comprises a high impact ABS thermoplastic material and thetubing clip 16 is formed by injection molding techniques well known tothose of ordinary skill in the art.

When it is desired to utilize the apparatus 10, the post 24 of thesupport arm 14 is inserted within the socket 22 of the base 12. Next,the tubing clip 16 is inserted into the recessed portion 30 of supportarm 14.

As shown in phantom in FIG. 1, when used by a patient having an IVcatheter (not shown) inserted in his arm 50, the apparatus 10 of thepresent invention is placed on a flat surface such as a table (notshown). The patient then places his arm 50 in which the IV catheter isplaced on the upper surface 18 of the base 12 of the apparatus 10. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the base 12 could bemodified to include straps which include Velcro® or other similar meansso as to more securely hold the patient's arm to the base 12.

The patient then uses his hand on the arm that does not have the IVcatheter inserted in it to grasp the IV tubing 52 approximately 2 to 3inches below the injection cap 54 and to slide the tubing 52 into theslot 42 of the tubing clip 16 until the tubing 52 is disposed in thecylindrical terminus 44.

Using the same hand, the patient then reaches under the tubing clip 16and gently pulls the IV tubing 52 downward until it fits snugly in thecylindrical terminus 44.

Now that the tubing 52 is held firmly, the patient may then perform aprocedure according to instructions given by the patient's doctor ornurse. The types of procedures patients may be performing include, butare not limited to, puncturing the injection cap 54 with a needleattached to a syringe (not shown) to inject a medication, attaching asyringe directly to the injection cap to inject a medication accordingto a needleless system, attaching IV tubing, for changing the injectioncap.

Upon completion of a procedure, the patient may remove the IV tubing 52from the apparatus 10 by simply grasping the cap 54 and pulling itupward with respect to the tubing clip 16. The tubing clip 16 of theapparatus 10 may release from the support arm 14 with the tubing 52, butthe tubing clip 16 can be removed from the tubing 52 and fitted backinto the arm 14 of the apparatus 10.

When the apparatus 10 is to be used by patients who have a central lineIV inserted into their chest, the apparatus 10 is assembled in the samemanner as described above. The patient then finds an upright mirror thathe or she can sit or stand comfortably 1 to 2 feet in front of Whileusing the apparatus 10. Next, the patient may attach double sided tapeto the feet 20 on the bottom of the base 12 of the apparatus 10 andposition the apparatus 10 on the mirror so that the long axis of thebase 12 extends in a vertical manner and the slot 42 in the tubing clip16 is disposed on the side of the apparatus 10 that is most convenientfor the patient.

The patient then grasps the infusion therapy tubing approximately 2 to 3inches below the injection cap and slides it into the slot 42 of thetubing clip 16 in a direction away from the patient's body until theinfusion therapy tubing is disposed in the cylindrical terminus 44.

The patient then reaches under the tubing clip 16 and gently pulls theinfusion therapy tubing until it is held snugly in the cylindricalterminus 44.

The patient may then perform a procedure according to instructions givenby the patient's doctor or nurse. The types of procedures patients maybe performing include, but are not limited to, puncturing the injectioncap with a needle attached to a syringe to administer a medication,attaching a syringe directly to the injection cap to inject a medicationaccording to a needleless system, attaching IV tubing, or changing theinjection cap.

The patient may also use the apparatus 10 to hold the outer end of theinfusion therapy tubing away from the patient's chest so as to changethe catheter dressing more easily.

Upon completion of a procedure, the patient may remove the infusiontherapy tubing from the apparatus 10 by simply grasping the cap andpulling it in a direction away from the tubing clip 16 and the base 12.The tubing clip 16 of the apparatus 10 may release from the support arm14 with the infusion therapy tubing, but the tubing clip 16 can beremoved from the infusion therapy tubing and fitted back into thesupport arm 14 of the apparatus 10.

It is preferred that the apparatus be durable enough to be used 80-100times, although it may be used only about 25 times and replaced weeklyfor the sake of cleanliness. With average use the useful life of theapparatus preferably is about 1 to 4 weeks.

The distance between the base and the top of the apparatus preferably issufficient, such as 5 to 6 inches, so as to clear a large man's (200 to250 lbs.) arm by 1 inch.

It is preferred that the top of the apparatus holds the infusion therapytubing approximately 1/8 inch below the area where the bottom of theinjection cap and the infusion therapy tubing are connected.

The infusion therapy tubing preferably is held tightly so that a syringecan be connected to the injection cap or the injection cap can beremoved with one hand.

The three-piece design of the preferred apparatus facilitates thepacking thereof.

It is preferred that the apparatus be useful with all currently usedsizes of IV caps and infusion therapy tubing.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be understood by persons skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications may be made therein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for securing and supporting infusiontherapy tubing, said apparatus comprising:a) supporting means forsupporting said apparatus on a surface; b) receiving means engaged withsaid supporting means for receiving said tubing, said receiving meansbeing adapted to disengage from said supporting means upon movement ofsaid tubing, when in a received position, in a direction away from saidsupporting means.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprisingconnecting means for connecting said supporting means and said receivingmeans, said connecting means being engaged with and intermediate saidsupporting means and said receiving means.
 3. Apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a base.
 4. Apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein said connecting means comprises a supportarm.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said support armcomprises a first portion extending perpendicular to said supportingmeans and a second portion being disposed above and extending parallelto said supporting means.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, whereinsaid receiving means is releasably engaged with said second portion ofsaid support arm.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidreceiving means slidably receives said tubing.
 8. Apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein said receiving means comprises a slit for providing aninterference fit with said tubing.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8,wherein said slit of said receiving means further comprises acylindrical terminus for providing an interference fit with said tubing.10. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said supporting meanscomprises a socket and said connecting means comprises a post, whereinsaid post fits within said socket and provides an interference fitbetween said supporting means and said connecting means.
 11. Apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein said receiving means is adapted to providea snap-fit between said receiving means and said connecting means. 12.Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said base comprises a firstsurface for receiving a patient's arm.
 13. Apparatus according to claim11, wherein said base is rectangular and said first surface of said basehas a concave curvature.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 11, whereinsaid base further comprises a second surface opposite said firstsurface, said second surface supporting said apparatus in a level mannerwhen said apparatus is placed in a flat, level surface.
 15. Apparatusaccording to claim 14, wherein said second surface of said base furthercomprises a plurality of non-skid feet.
 16. Apparatus according to claim5, wherein said second portion of said connecting means furthercomprises engaging means for engaging said receiving means. 17.Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said engaging means of saidsecond portion of said support arm comprises an aperture adapted toprovide a snap fit with said receiving means, whereby said receivingmeans is adapted to disengage from said second portion of said supportarm when said receiving means is jerked or pulled in any direction. 18.Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said receiving means comprises arecessed portion for engagement with said tubing.
 19. Apparatusaccording to claim 7 wherein said tubing comprises an intravenousinjection cap, and wherein said receiving means engages said tubing at apoint adjacent to said intravenous injection cap.
 20. Apparatusaccording to claim 9 wherein said tubing comprises an intravenousinjection cap, said receiving means engages said tubing at a pointadjacent to said intravenous injection cap, and said cylindricalterminus is of diameter smaller than said intravenous injection cap.